Universal Joy Through Obedience (56:1-12)
Neal Pollard
Chapter 56 begins the last major section of the book of Isaiah. Gary Smith titles this section “the destiny of God’s servants” (NAC, 516). This chapter helps us know who is included in His servants and how they come to be recognized as such. There is one who, like Psalm one, is called the blessed man (2). He is the one who does what God commands. These appear to be the captives from the latter half of the book, anticipating freedom and restoration. What does God expect of them, if they wish to be blessed and joyful?
There Must Be Moral Uprightness (1-2). God promises His salvation and righteousness, but only to those who “preserve justice and do righteousness” (1). He offers to bless those whose worship and conduct align, avoiding evil and good what is right. God never blesses those whose morality or doctrine conflict His revealed will.
There Must Be Confidence In God’s Power (3). This is seen in what God is promising for the future of His people. Included in His family, which would be inaugurated by His Chosen Servant, are the foreigners and eunuchs. These were excluded under the Law of Moses, but they would be included in what was to come.
There Must Be Faithful Worship (4-7). That God wishes to include the outcasts and formerly excluded is seen in His conditional acceptance of them. To those who keep His sabbaths, minister to Him, pray in His house, offer burnt offerings and their sacrifices, God would make better than sons and daughters, His servants, and participants in His covenant. Worship must be coupled with choosing what pleases God and holding fast to His covenant (4). What would be the response of the obedient, hearing that God embraces them? They would be joyful (7). Those who adore God enough to serve Him daily and worship Him faithfully would have a place in His house and an everlasting name (5).
There Must Be Repentance (8-12). Isaiah shifts his focus back to the present disobedience of God’s people. The glorious, future hope was impeded by the unrighteousness of the leadership. The current leadership had learned nothing of God’s power and punishment. John Martin suggests, “The Lord called for the beasts (Gentile powers, probably Babylon) to devour (punish) Israel because she was spiritually insensitive” (BKC, Ed. Walvoord and Zuck, 1112). Those leaders are compared to blind watchmen (10), mute dogs (10), sleeping dreamers (10), greedy dogs (11), ignorant shepherds (11), and foolish drunkards (12). The righteous were frustrated with them and their only hope of peace was to die (57:1-2).
Joy was only a distant hope for the original readers of Isaiah’s words here. Punishment had to come before peace could be legitimately offered. God had something better in store for future generations who believed His plan and obeyed His will. We are living in that better time now. The Servant has completed His work and now reigns in heaven. We get to choose whether or not we want the joy only He can offer us (1 John 1:4; 2 John 12).
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